The academy, open to the public, is an 18-week course that includes lessons in local government functions and how the city's departments operate. The course is free and the program is divided into two sessions.

Residents who are interested in taking the course must submit their applications by Sept. 19 to the Neighborhood Services Department, 701 Montana. Applications are available at the Pat O'Rourke Center, 701 Montana or online on the city's website under the city's Community and Human Development website.

Classes will meet once a week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Wednesdays, with some field trips tentatively scheduled on Thursday and Saturday.

Soraya Ayub, neighborhood relations coordinator, said the academy is aimed at empowering residents with the knowledge of how the city departments work.

"We have a lot of applicants that do come in and are interested in wanting to make a difference in their neighborhoods," Ayub said. "But they don't know what to do or which department to go to. So this academy shows them how each department works so if there's an issue they can know who to call and what to do."

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Through presentations and trips to the city's public facilities, such as the El Paso Zoo and the Plaza Theatre, participants receive hands-on knowledge of how the city services are managed.

Because the academy is broken up into two sessions, Olivia Montalvo, senior planner at the Neighborhoods Services Division, suggested that participants encourage a friend, spouse or a relative to complete the academy with them.

"There tends to be a higher completion rate when people that bring along a friend or spouse because it is 18-weeks long," Montalvo said.

Since the academy began in 2006, more than 200 area residents have participated and completed the courses. Participants who complete the academy receive a certificate and may be recommended for city boards and commissions.

Participants must be at least 18 years old and must be a resident living within the El Paso City limits, and must not have served on a city board, commission or an elected office.